The Student Room Group

Feb 1st: What's the best way to break an addiction?

This week’s Surgery with Gemma and Dr Radha looks at addiction in all it’s forms. From needing alcohol to get through the day, to not being able to live without your phone, what are you addicted to?

Have you had to deal with an addiction? Can you ever really break a bad habit? Are you worried you might be getting addicted to something?

Share your experiences and tune in to Radio 1 on Wednesday 1st February at 9pm for help and advice.

Please note: you can post on this forum anonymously.

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Reply 1
Inb4 "TSR addiction" :lol:
It depends on the person. Some people can just go cold turkey, my step dad went from smoking every day before he met my mum to just stopping all together, and now hasn't smoked for about 8 years. But for some that wouldn't work, and a gradual reduction is needed. Perhaps using a timetable such as I can use my phone/smoke/drink at these points and then reducing it down slowly.

Sometimes the only way to help a severe addition is to substitute it with something less harmful. E.g every time you crave a cigarette have a sweet. I have a bad habit of picking my lips and eyebrows so I've just bought a little tangle toy to fiddle with instead. It's not ideal, but can help to gradually reduce it :smile:
I'm addicted to porn. I have tried quitting for 2 years. I have ED worse than old men and I'm 19. The doctors have tested me and everything... There are lots of other people this age with the same issue. Porn/sexual imagery is so accessible it makes the addiction harder to quit than most I think. I mean you can find porn on YouTube and Twitter.
My dad smokes, and i want him to stop...


HOW?
You do not break an addiction but the lucky ones manage to get rid of addictions.

The only way to get rid of an addiction is to find another addiction.


But some addictions are worth dying for .. ~ <3
Original post by UWS
Inb4 "TSR addiction" :lol:


"You don't say" Bro ~ !!

TSR would not let me Rep you on this one.

HAHAHAH xd
Okay I'm not even lying here, I had an addiction for anything chocolate! However that led to excess weight and from January I decided to go cold turkey! So far I've lost 11 lbs and I guess just going cold turkey worked for me!
I've recently stopped smoking which I was very much addicted to, I've used gum as a substitute. I still have a very strong desire to smoke but I'm forcing myself not to psychology. Hopefully the physical withdrawal symptoms wont come on too strong/hope I dont have any.
Original post by UWS
Inb4 "TSR addiction" :lol:


you took my spot and words. ladies first bruh :colonhash:
Reply 10
In my eyes replacing an addiction with something else isn't ending the addiction; however, if you can just go cold turkey I wouldn't call it an addiction as such. Therefore, it must be that the only way to end an addiction is to slowly decrease usage.
Original post by Andy98
In my eyes replacing an addiction with something else isn't ending the addiction; however, if you can just go cold turkey I wouldn't call it an addiction as such. Therefore, it must be that the only way to end an addiction is to slowly decrease usage.


:yy:

Posted from TSR Mobile
Can playing video games more than 5 hours without taking a break be regarded as an addiction? if so, I got rid this of. My 'therapy' was simple: foundnd things which were more interesting when I got older.

Original post by Andy98
In my eyes replacing an addiction with something else isn't ending the addiction; however, if you can just go cold turkey I wouldn't call it an addiction as such. Therefore, it must be that the only way to end an addiction is to slowly decrease usage.


As in smoking cigarrettes?
Reply 13
Original post by Kallisto
As in smoking cigarrettes?


That's one example yeah

Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by Andy98
That's one example yeah

Posted from TSR Mobile


And what about games of chance? is this an addiction which can be broken as a habit by decrasing usage too?
Reply 15
Original post by Kallisto
And what about games of chance? is this an addiction which can be broken as a habit by decrasing usage too?


Yeah

Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by n.chowdhury2
My dad smokes, and i want him to stop...


HOW?


If you are very rude and rigorous to him, take a bucket of water and throw it into his face. I am sure, he will never forget this.
I'm also addicted to internet porn, I've tried quitting but it seems impossible, I really want to get help for it but I'm too embarrassed to own up to anyone about it.
My advice for any kind of addiction is to just take it a day at a time, have a reward for every day you don't do it (obviously a reward that isn't the addictive thing!)
Get busy and find a new hobby, a new series to watch or a podcast, buy a fidget cube.
If it's something health related, go seek advice- if it's gonna damage your health, it's best to ask for advice- but it takes courage!
Whatever you're struggling with though- you can overcome it! ❤💪🏻💪🏻
Alcohol. Ongoing issue

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